February 1642/3

[8 February, 1642/3.]

Whereas the Earl of Northumberland, a Person of known
Integrity and Honour, in whom the King and Kingdom might
safely confide, is discharged by His Majesty from being Lord
High Admiral of England; the Lords and Commons in Parliament assempled have, for the Safety of His Majesty's Person, the
Parliament, and Kingdom, in this Time of imminet Danger, by
Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, ordined, That you,
Robert Earl of Warwicke, shall command in Chief the Ships
which are now at Sea, or shall be sent to Sea; and shall have
Power to grant Commissions, and to remove and displace all
Officers and other Persons whatsoever, under your Command,
and to place others in their Rooms; and to do all other Acts, in
as ample Manner as any Admiral hath formerly done; and have
Martial Power, as the General now hath at Land, till an Act of
Parliament be passed for the further settling of the Admiralty:
and all Officers, mariners, and Soldiers, belonging to the said
Fleet, and also all Commanders of Forts, are hereby required to
yield Obedience unto you, the said Earl of Warwicke: And it
is further Ordered, That you, Robert Earl of Warwicke, and all
Officers, Soldiers, and Mariners, obeying your Command in this
Service for the Safety of the Kingdom, shall, for your and their
Indemnity, be protected by the Authority of the said Houses of
Parliament.